Storage means for liquefied gas



March 16, 1948, H. c. COOPER STORAGE MEANS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS Filed Nov. 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 If" LN March 16, 1948. c, COOPER 2,437,909

STORAGE MEANS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS Filed NOV. 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HOWELLQCO0PEB BY Jmfi .March 16, 1948. H. c. COOPER STORAGE MEANS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS Filed Nov. 27, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STORAGE MEANS FOR LIQUEFIED GAS Howell C. Cooper, Sewiekley, Pa.

Application November 27, 1945, Serial No. 631,021

11 Claims. (01. 62-1A) This invention relates to storage means for liquefied gases, such as natural gas or methane, in large quantities in the order of many millions of cubic feet.

Such a substance is a highly inflammable gas at atmospheric pressures and temperatures, and is q id at atmospheric pressures only at exceedingly low temperatures in the order of 258 F., and further is lighter than air when gaseous and heavier than air when liquid; and experience has shown that its storage in sufllciently large quantitles to be practically useful presents a very substantial problem.

The general objects of this invention are to provide safe storage for the liquefied gas in large quantities.

More Particularly, the invention contemplates for the purpose location of the liquid in an earth cavity within a vapor-proof sheath vented for relief and recovery of such gasiflcation as is caused by necessary heat losses; together with provision for emergencies such as might be caused by bombing, airplane crashes and the like from without, and leakage of the receptacle proper, from within. An important feature of the invention to these ends is toprovide a receptacle for the liquid within the sheath and separated from the walls thereof by detritus forming a matrix defining inent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is a typical sectional elevation of an embodiment of the invention wherein a single large receptacle is employed for th'e liquid;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of an embodiment wherein aplurality of smaller receptacles are provided 'for th iluid;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section as in the plane of line"3- ,3, Fig.2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View as in vertical section illustrating the heating system employed;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view'illustrative of the manner of assembling the vapor-proof liner employed';a1 1 d f -Fig. Gis'a sectional detail ofthe vapor proof liner. I I

'With'refere'nce now to thedrawings and first to Fig. 1 thereof, a reservoir cavity is formed by excavation or otherwise in surrounding earth I, the cavity being preferably either circular or rectangular as dictated by circumstances. Excavated earth may be employed about the periphery of the cavity to give it greater eifective depth, if desired, as is usual in reservoir construction; and the side walls of the cavity are upwardly divergent preferably in approximation to the angle of repose. On this basis the mouth of the cavity will be of the order of feet by 150 feet, assuming the cavity to be a square one, for a capacity in the order of forty-two million cubic feet of gas, there being an advantage of around 600 to 1 in volume attained by liquefaction, as will be appreciated by one familiar with the art.

The cavity is lined with a thick wall of concrete 2 with detritus-containing sump means therebelow as at 3, served by an open ended pipe 4 extending thereinto and suitable suction pump not shown, to combat exposure of the liner to excessive external accumulated moisture.

Vapor-proof sheath means are provided including a cover portion 5 over the mouth of the cavity and a liner portion 6 overlaid on the concrete wall 2.

The vapor-proof liner 6 is preferably of laminated construction illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 and consists of a laminate stratum I of alternate metallic and non-metallic laminations 8 and 9, respectively, each lamination consisting of a plurality of panels laid edge to edge to form joints disposed in staggered relation to those of the next lamination as indicated in Fig.5. Materials ior the laminations 8 and 9 may be low temperature nickel, steel and asbestos sheet, respectively. The laminate stratum 1 may be enclosed between inner and outer layers I0 of wood or the like and bolt means II are arranged to secure the laminate assembly and for the purpose located each to pass through one 01' the panels in each of the laminations. Preferably also calking is provided, of lead or the like in notches spaced at intervals along adjacent edges 01' adjacent panels as conventionally indicated at l2; to prevent leakage alongthe corresponding edges.

By the arrangement described, the completed liner is both vapor and water proof and eflectively continuous although its component parts may have relative give in their planes, to accommodate temperature changes, even when extreme and localized.

The cover portion of the sheath may be of any desired and suitable construction such as of combustion.

. 3 welded metal. It is vented as at is for exit of gas past its associated liquid seal M.

Within the sheath a liquid receptacle is provided having upwardly divergent walls spaced from those of the cavity. As herein indicated, the walls consist of a liquid-proof liner I! which may be the same construction as described in connection with Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, supported in spaced relation from the cavity walls as by wood facing i8 overlaid on runners l1, supported on posts I 8, rising from a wood facing 19 overlaid upon the vapor-proof liner 8..

A pip line 20 is arranged leading to and from the bottom of the receptacle for filling and emptying it respectively.

According to my invention, the space within the sheath both within and about the receptacle is substantially filled with detritus of a nature to form a matrix defining intercommunicating voids. The detritus may be in the form of sand, gravel having the advantage of cheapness, or it might be in larger particles of more elaborate form, such as marbles or rings or cylinders, Preferably the material of the detritus is of substantially specific heat so that the detritus will provide a corresponding thermal mass. If desired also, a layer of cork as at 2| may be incorporated to improve thermal insulation, the layer being located preferably immediately above the liquid level within the receptacle. At any rate, it will be observed that the detritus below the receptacle helps to support it; the detritus above the receptacle serves to support the cover portion 5 of the vapor-proof sheath and each portion of the detritus impedes a siphonic circulation thereadjacent so that thermal losses are minimized.

It is to be noted that ordinarily the voids formed by the detritus about and below the receptacle form emergency volume for receiving liquid should the receptacle leak. Also under such condition, the thermal mass provided by the detritus itself will retard gasification of such leak e and in case of fire substantially inhibit The detritus within the sheath serves for cover support. and that above the liquid level provides insulation against solar heat and also substantial volume for sudden emergency gasification. The upwardly divergent form of the receptacle and cavity assists in this. Obviously, damage by bomb, airplane crash and the like will be minimized by the construction described, and particularly the detritus which would greatly impede any entrance by any such object.

with reference now to the modification of Fig. 2. the construction is generally the same as before. A vapor-proof casing consisting of cover portion I and liner portion II is provided, the latter being overlaid on a concrete wall 82 as before. However, instead of a single receptacle within the sheath, a plurality of metallic bottles 33 are arranged therein each having filling and emptying means 34 extending through the cover II; insulation such as'cork 35 is arranged about the bottles and the latter are suitably supported as indicated at 36 above the bottom of the sheath, detritus being employed below, between, above and about the bottles. Such construction has the advantage that leakage oi one bottle does not necessarily impair the others, and any may be withdrawn for repair, if necessary.

Obviously. in either of the forms described the smgate volume of the voids provided by the detritus about and below the liquid receptacle 4 the resultant liquid level in the voids will be below a substantial amount of detritus so that there will always be a substantial detritus void above such liquid level, with the advantages described above; and such liquid level will remain below the level of the surrounding earth,

In order to preserve the cavity liners 2 and l2 against cracking, and otherwise maintain them as nearly vapor proof as possible, I provide means for preventing freezing temperature thereof from the refrigerant effect of the receptacle contents. Such means is conventionally illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein 40 represents the concrete cavity liner, and ll and 42 represent the cover and liner portions of the vapor-proof sheath, Accordingly I provide heating means overlaid on the liner, here shown as in the form of piping as indicated with passes 43 and 44 leading back and forth across the liner, heat exchangers 45 and 46 on opposite 2o sides of the cavity and an impeller 41 for maintaining circulation of a heating medium as indicated by the arrows, a gaseous medium being employed for the purpose to avoid escaping vapors so far as possible.

I claim:

1. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said cavity, said cavity having a, vapor proof sheath including cooperative liner 30 and cover portions and said receptacle having filling and withdrawing means extending through said sheath, and detritus within said sheath about said receptacle forming a matrix defining intercommunicating voids providing an aggregate vol- 35 ume sufilcient to accommodate the contents of saidreceptacle substantially below the level of the surrounding earth.

2. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a receptacle for liquefied 40 natural gas within said cavity, said cavity having a vapor proof sheath including cooperative liner and cover portions and said receptacle having filling and withdrawing means extending through said sheath, and detritus within said cavity about said receptacle forming a matrix defining intercommunicating voids providing an aggregate volume sufiicient that should said receptacle fail. the resultant liquid level in said voids will be below a substantial amount of said detritus.

3. In combination with an earth cavity, for the purpose described a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner, detritus about and below said receptacle, and heating means for opposing the refrigerant effect of said gas within said receptacle, to maintain said liner above freezing temperature, said heating means comprising piping overlaid on said liner, and means for circulating a heating medium through said piping.

4. In combination with an earth cavity, for the purpose described a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas'within said liner, detritus about and below said receptacle, and heating means for opposing the refrigerant effect of said gas within said receptacle, to maintain said liner above freezing temperature, said heating means comprising piping overlaid on said liner, means for circulating a heating medium through said piping and means outside said cavity for heating said medium.

5. In combination with an earth cavity, for the purpose described, a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner, detritus about and below said volume is sufiicient that upon receptacle failure receptacle, and heating means for opposing the refrigerant eiiect of said gas within said receptacle, to maintain said liner above freezing temperature, said heating means comprising pipin overlaid on said liner in stretches leading back and forth from one side to the other, means for circulating a heating medium through said piping, and means at the opposite sides of said cavity for heating said medium.

6. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner, and detritus within said cavity about said receptacle, said liner including a laminate stratum. saidstratum consisting of alternate metallic and non-metallic laminations, each lamination consisting of a plurality of panels laid edge to edge to form joints disposed in staggered relation to those of the next lamination.

'7. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a vapor pr'ooi liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner, and detritus within said cavity about said receptacle, said liner including a laminate stratum on a continuous concrete bed, said stratum consisting of alternate metallic and nonmetallic laminations, each lamination consisting of a plurality of panels laid edge to edge to form joints disposed in staggered relation to those of the next lamination.

8. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner. and detritus within said cavity about said receptacle, said liner including a laminate stratum, said stratum consisting of alternate metallic and non-metallic laminations. each lamination consisting of a plurality of panels laid edge to edge to form Joints disposed in staggered relation to those of the next lamination, and bolt means arranged to secure the 1aminate assembly and for the purpose located each to pass through one of said panels in each of said laminations.

9. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner, and detritus within said cavity about said receptacle, said liner including a laminate stratum, said stratum consisting of alternate metallic and non-metallic laminations, each lamination consisting of a plurality of panels laid edge to edge to form joints disposed in staggered relation to those of the next lamination, said panel edges being notched and packed to prevent leakage therealong.

10. In combination with an earth cavity for the purpose described, a vapor proof liner for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said liner, and detritus within said cavity about said receptacle. said liner including a laminate stratum, said stratum consisting of alternate metallic and non-metallic laminations, each lamination consisting of a plurality or panels laid edge to edge to form joints disposed in staggered relation to those of the next lamination, said stratum being interposed between a pair of wood layers.

11. In combination with an earth cavity having upwardly divergent sides, a vented vapor proof sheath for said cavity, a receptacle for liquefied natural gas within said sheath and having upwardly divergent sides, and detritus within said sheath, within and about said receptacle and extending thereabove.

HOWELL C. COOPER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,489,725 Wilson Apr. 8, 1924 2,166,913 Little July 18,- 1939 2,256,673 Hansen Sept. 23, 1941 2,333,315 Klingberg Nov. 2, 1943 

